Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Hello, our 11 year old mixed hound, Toby, just had his left front leg amputated. He was diagnosed with bone cancer last week after we took him to the vet thinking he had a bad wrist sprain. The first vet told us the news and without even a chest x-ray, let us know that Toby only had a couple of months. 
I am a seven year non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor and would have fired a Dr. that sent me away with a death sentence. Needless to say, we sought a second opinion.
The second opinion vet came to the same conclusion but gave us a more hopeful feeling. She said that with amputation, Toby may have a better quality of life vs. the pain of bone cancer and a short existence. Toby's lung x-rays came back negative for any visual metastasized cancer and his blood work is very normal. We are crossing our fingers that Toby will have another happy year.
Toby is doing very well after two days post procedure, walking about and getting up and down with slight effort. He as a very active dog and it is hard for him to chill-out 
Doing so well, we are not sure that chemo will in Toby's future. We are still waiting for the biopsy results to see what kind of cancer he has. Opinions anyone?
Cheers, Jeff and Lori
Jeff, Lori and Toby, thanks for joining us, your future posts won't require approval. Toby's sweet photos are such a great way to start our day, thanks for posting them, he looks like a lot of fun!
Kudos to you for being such pawesome advocates for him. So many folks are just devastated when the news is delivered like your first vet did (ggrrrrrr, we see that a lot unfortunately). Just so you know, if it's osteosarcoma, despite the statistics we have seen many dogs go two years or more beyond that diagnosis, including ME! Sounds like you've got a great attitude so I know that a pawesome cancer survivor like yourself will kick those statistics to the curb!
As for chemo, there's lots of discussion about it. About 75 percent of Tripawds member go through it, the rest opt for non traditional methods or no post-op treatment at all. Here's a great discussion for you:
Also, we love the Dog Cancer Survival Guide because Dr. Dressler explains the pros and cons and also discusses blending both eastern and western medicine in a "full spectrum" approach. It's a great read while you're going through this.
Again, welcome. We're here to help so ask any questions you'd like!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Lori, Toby and Jeff!
Welcome t your new extended family who understands like no others can!
Your Toby is a very handsome bo and cleary has an ttitude that shows he's loving life and has no intention of going anywhere anytime soon! Glad you fired the first vet! No one on this journey nows tme frames...no one realy knows which follow up treatments "work".....but everyone here jnkws that amutatin takes that horrible bone pain away!
If I may suggest for nw, just focus on Toby's recovery from surgery use your down time to do research, but don't worr about wht treatment--if any--you are goi g to do. You have plenty of time to decide later Whatever you do it will be the right decisin. This IS a major surger and sometimes..not always...larger older dogs recover more slowly.
But oh my goodness, when recovery is complete and the sparke comes back, you will ot believe how amazingly well your Tob,y will do! You think you have a deep bond ow? Jjst wait! This journey brings out a deph of love you didn't even know existed!
Do keep him quiet for ow...o stairs, jumpi g, etc. Do you have hardwoods? If so, you may want to use scatter rugs so he wn't slip. Toby may have a rough week or so ahead and maybe some sleepless nights. Just know we are here for you. You are not alone! PLEASE keep us posted
Tha ks for the pictures! He's a joyful boy...and handso e too.....and lucky to have you as his advocates:-)
Surrou ding you with healing energy and lots of calm!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
well now.. you have certainly come to the right place!! This place is so full of inforAtion to help you out, little hints to make Toby get around better, and sounding boards for when you want to cry, scream, yell, vent and of course brag, brag BRAG!!!!
Sounds like Toby is off to a good start.. but keeping them confined is a challenge though! My Franklin did not like being kept in the tv room.. he wanted to go around the house like he normally did!! But, we did it for the first week.. and then gave him an extra room every 3-4 days later till he had the run of the house again...
It is amazing how well they cope with the loss of a leg. My Franklin lost his front left leg.. and he walked, well hopped to the car a day later.. he never had infection, he never had phantom limb pain, he was the perfect patient. He was a trooper.. and so dang cute it should have been against the law!!
Good luck with Toby.. the first week could be a little rough.. we pawrents tend to jump up at the slightest little noise so sleep might not be that long!! But.. youwill get through it.. sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders!!
Christine..... with Franklin in her heart ♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Welcome Toby, Jeff and Lori -
Glad you found the site, but sorry you had a need to. Yay for the second vet being more optimistic. None of us can know what will happen so we just do what is best for our furry kids. This next week is usually the most difficult and everyone has a different experience. Like Franklin, Shooter had a pretty easy recovery, but Hannah was the other side and there are many in between.
Area rugs are a must if you have hard floors and an elevated dish makes it so much easier on a front amp.
Keep us updated and take care.
Luanne and Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Everyone, thanks for the welcome and great advice.
Well, it is one week later and Toby is doing great.
I could tell he had some phantom limb thoughts at first. He kept looking for his paw. His wound is healing great with no drainage and the swelling is almost gone.
You are right, the tough part is keeping him out of trouble. He normally sleeps upstairs with us and has been wanting upstairs all week. Hi did sneak up and spent the night in his normal bed. I think it was good for him but he was afraid of going down the stairs in the morning. We helped him and all was good.
He is getting quite good on three legs and can bolt away if we let him. I actually thought he was more of a klutz than he actually is. He has been holding back on us. 
Another milestone was his need to be on his favorite couch. He was able to get up a couple of nights ago. I could see he was a happy camper being able to watch TV with Lori and I.
He is our superstar.
Thanks again, Jeff and Lori.
SUPER STAR TOBY!! Yeah big boy---you are indeed rocking this tripawd thing with gusto!
Wonderful update and so glad things are going incredibly well.! You are the master of your sofa, that's for sure! Do you have your own TV remote too? You deserve one!
!eep coig with these exceptionally good updated. Don't overdo though Mr. Toby! Remember, Super Stars have "their people" do things for them! Sounds like you have pretty devoted pawparents who you've trained to cater to your every whim:-) 
Great job Lori and Jeff!! And, of course Super Star Toby!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Way to show us how it's done Toby!! Keep up the great recovery.
Luanne and Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Jeff & Lori this is such great news to hear! You have one amazing pup there.
If you'd like, at some point it would be great if you had time to post in "Size and Age Matters" to tell what life is like with a senior Tripawd, both during recovery and after. Thanks so much, give Toby a hug from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Update on Toby. He is doing great. Our family went on vacation and we were sad and worried to have to leave Toby with a house sitter for ten days. When we arrived home we were greeted, as only dogs can do, by all six of our dogs and much to our amazement, Toby ran out to see us.
What a change a week and a half can make.
Toby is charging around with a smile on his face. I caught him in the backyard attempting to dig up something. He positively sprints across the yard now. I really think he has his old mojo back. LOL, he even is lifting his leg to pee.
We have elected to start chemo and take it from there.
Jeff and Lori.
Yay Toby! I'm so glad you have recovered so well and back to your normal self. It's amazing how fast they adapt and just go on with life like nothing has changed.
Good luck with the chemo.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
Awwww, that's the kind of homecoming that brings tears to your eyes, how fabulous!
Keep us posted on the chemo you're doing, we have lots of folks here who can share their experiences and are ready to answer any questions. Good luck!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That is so awesome to hear about Toby. That is an awesome homecoming.
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Isn't it great to see your dog coming back to normal? So glad he is doing so well!
Luanne and Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
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